June-July 2011 - The National Institute of Open Schooling

NEWS BULLETIN
June-July 2011
National Institute of Open Schooling
NIOS Participates in WES 2011
The National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS) participated in the
World Education Summit (WES) 2011, the world’s premier event on
education leadership, organised by the Centre for Science Development
and Media Studies (CSDMS), Indira Gandhi National Open University
(IGNOU) and Elets Technomedia Pvt. Ltd. in August 2011. The NIOS
was one of the co-organisers of the event. This global event which was
held at the Ashoka, New Delhi from 13 th -15 th July, 2011 covered all
aspects of School Education, Higher Education, and Skill Development
and Vocational Education, bringing together policymakers across nations
for dialogues, debates and deliberations upon policies, tools and methods
of learning towards Education for all. An exhibition displaying academic
programmes of the 33 participating educational institutions also formed
part of the summit.
As an image building measure, the NIOS showcased its products and
services at the World Education Summit 2011 through an Exhibition
booth. The Summit provided a single platform to cover various aspects
of School Education, Higher Education, Skill development and Vocational
Education from local to international level, also creating opportunities for
progress, as Education Ministries across various countries participated
in the Summit.
NIOS stall at the WES 2011
The NIOS organized a special session on Vocational Education;
“Upscaling Vocational Education and Skill Training through Open
Schooling – Trends and Challenges”. Dr. K.P. Wasnik, Director (VED),
NIOS, NOIDA, Ms. Neal Terry, Flexible Learning Manager, Open
polytechnic, New Zealand, Mr. Albert Joseph, Executive Director, FVTRS
Bangalore, Dr. Sourabh Parkash, Professor, Central Institute for
Vocational Education, Bhopal and Ms. Uma Tuli, Chairperson, Amarjyoti
foundation, former Chairperson, RCI made presentations in this special
session.
Dr. Kuldeep Agarwal, Director (Acad.) made a presentation on Continuous
and Comprehensive Evaluation (CCE).
A two page advertorial about NIOS was published in the special issue of
the digital LEARNING Magazine brought out by CSDMS on this occasion.
Hinged on the participatory model, the Summit drew attention to best
practices, sharing learning and knowledge, and promoting innovations
in the field of education. It also assessed learning in the 21 st century and
Dr. K.P. Wasnik, Director (VED), NIOS addressing the special
session on Vocational Education
debate trends in school, higher and skill education across the globe.
There was also an emphasis on deliberating upon best cases and
methods for creating opportunities for students with disabilities. The role
of teachers in meeting learners’ diverse expectations and needs was
another area that was intensely addressed.
The participation of NIOS in the technical sessions, workshops, keynotes
and plenary sessions as well as exhibition of an international conference
like WES, 2011 is perceived as an Image Building exercise for the
organization and Capacity Building measure for its officers. Such an
exposure could also go a long way in building the self esteem of the
participants.
MoU to further NIOS initiative to educate Minority
Communities
The National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS), an autonomous
institution under MHRD, GOI and the largest open schooling system in
the world has been endeavouring to promote education amongst minority
communities by launching the HUNAR project, support through the
SPQEM (Scheme for Providing Quality Education in Madrassas)
programme of Govt. of India, organising advocacy and mass sensitization
programmes in various states and developing its study material in Urdu
medium. The NIOS has also been in the process of identifying more
institutions for accreditation as study centres for meeting the educational
needs of students belonging to Minority Communities.
Taking forward this initiative, the NIOS signed a Memorandum of
Understanding (MoU) with the National Commission for Minority
Educational Institutions (NCMEI), also an autonomous institution under
MHRD, GOI, with the objective to expand the reach and impact of NIOS
programmes and policies amongst Minority Communities, undertake active
advocacy programmes by establishing linkages with Minority Educational
Institutions and to create a wider network of study centres and develop
a mechanism for sharing of resources.
In his introductory remarks, Dr. S.S. Jena, Chairman, NIOS pointed out
the initiatives that the NIOS had undertaken not only to increase the
educational level of the Muslim Minority but also providing a means of
livelihood through its vocational programmes. He hoped that this MoU
would help in developing a mechanism to identify more active institutions
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National Institute of Open Schooling
to provide access to education, thereby improving the educational profile
of the Muslim Minority.
Referring to the occasion as a historic one, Justice M.S.A. Siddiqui,
Chairman, NCMEI said that the signing of the MoU is a positive step to
improve the educational profile of the Muslim Minority, especially
empowering Muslim girls by educating them and making them self-reliant.
The MoU was signed on 21 st June 2011 at the NCMEI headquarters in
New Delhi. The Secretary, NIOS, Sri. C. Dharuman signed the MoU on
behalf of NIOS and Sri. D.R. Bhalla, Deputy Secretary, NCMEI was the
signatory to the MOU representing NCMEI.
Tele-orientation Programme for AVIs
A tele-orientation programme was conducted on 24 th June 2011 for the
co-ordinators of Accredited Vocational Institutes (AVIs). The theme of
the programme was ‘Facilitating/Managing Infrastructure Resources
for trade-based skill development of learners.’
While the teaching end of the programme was EMPC, IGNOU, Maidan
Garhi, New Delhi, the learning end for the AVI coordinators were at the
respective NIOS Regional centres and IGNOU Regional centres.
The programme was introduced by Ms. Anitha Nair, Assistant Director,
Student Support Services, NIOS.
Addressing the co-ordinators on ‘How to provide skill training with the
available infrastructure’, Dr. S.S. Jena, Chairman, NIOS emphasized
on the need to synergize human resource, material and other locally
available resources in order to provide skills to the NIOS learners. He
urged the coordinators to become more proactive in the NIOS teaching
learning process.
Dr. K.P. Wasnik, Director (Vocational Education Department), NIOS
updated the participants on recent developments in the vocational
education programmes of NIOS and details of collaborations.
Two video films, the first titled ‘Promoting NIOS through AVI’ based on
the AVI, Sushila Devi Polytechnic, Ghaziabad and the other titled
‘success story - Badthey Kadam” were screened to show how
vocational institutes had encouraged learners to join NIOS programmes.
Two short video films titled ‘success story’ and ‘Tie and Dye’ were
also shown.
Presentations on the following topics were made by co-ordinators of
AVIs to share their experiences of encountering and overcoming
difficulties in running various vocational courses and the importance of
providing hands-on-experience to the learners.
• Managing Special Juvenile Centre - Prayas - A case study.
• Collaborating with local workshops for providing of better resources.
• Meeting infrastructure requirement for Home Science based courses.
• Providing hands-on-training by using local available resources.
• How to Motivate learners to attend Practical classes.
Presentations made by NIOS officers, Sri. S.K. Mishra, Regional Director,
NIOS Regional Centre, Delhi, Ms. Manju Gupta, Deputy Director, NIOS
and Sri. P.P. Chugh, Assistant Director, NIOS explained the roles and
responsibilities of AVIs.
The programme ended with the much awaited question-answer session.
NIOS declares Secondary and Senior Secondary
results
The National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS) declared its Senior
Secondary and Secondary examination results on 9.6.2011 and
13.6.2011 respectively. Out of 2,01,732 candidates who appeared
in the Senior Secondary examination, 78,645 were certified. In the
Secondary examination, 1,77,047 candidates appeared and 71,985
were certified. The results were made available to the students through
the NIOS website www.nios.ac.in as well as www.indiaresults.com
and www.examresults.com; through SMS; through IVRS by dialling
the toll free no.1800 180 9393 and through e-mail by registering on
the NIOS website or sending a request to lsc@nios.ac.in
Joint Orientation Programme for Accredited
Institutions (Study centres)
The National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS) along with the Yashwant
Rao Chawan Maharashtra Open University (YCMOU), Nashik organised
a joint Orientation Programme for the co-ordinators of Senior Secondary
Accredited Institutions (AIs) at ICSSR Conference Hall, Kalina Campus,
University of Mumbai on 11 th June 2011. Thirty Nine Co-ordinators from
Senior Secondary AIs of Maharashtra and Goa attended the programme.
The programme commenced with an Inspirational Song by a group of
differently abled children from the Spastic Society of India, Mumbai and
Helen Keller Institute of Deaf and Deafblind, Mumbai. The song rendered
by the spastic children was presented by the students of Helen Keller
Institute of Deaf and Deafblind using sign language.
Extending a warm
welcome to Dr. Krishna
Kumar, Vice chancellor of
the YCMOU and the coordinators
of AIs, Dr. S.S.
Jena, Chairman, NIOS
elaborated the
challenges faced by the
Open and Distance
Learning (ODL) system
and how NIOS
collaboration with Higher
Education Institutions
like YCMOU will empower Joint Orientation Programme: Inaugural Session
the learners.
Dr. Krishna Kumar, Vice-Chancellor, YCMOU in his inaugural speech
highlighted the vision of YCMOU and explained the significance of the
Memorandum of Understanding with the NIOS. He also provided a road
map for future endeavours with the NIOS.
Presentations were made on various aspects of Student Support by
Directors of NIOS and YCMOU.
Dr. Kuldeep Agarwal, Director (Academic), NIOS highlighted the special
features of NIOS and the Role and Functions of Study Centres. Dr. K.P.
Wasnik, Director (Vocational Education Dept. and Student Support
Services), NIOS explained the importance of Vocational Education and
threw light on the various Vocational Courses offered by the NIOS.
Dr. Anuradha Deshmukh, Director (Centre for Collaborations & Special
Initiatives), YCMOU explained how the ‘Yash Ujwal’, a preparatory
programme in collaboration with the NIOS will be beneficial to the Sr.
Secondary students of the NIOS. NIOS learners who fail to clear Class
XII can pursue higher studies through YCMOU by clearing this
Preparatory Programme.
Dr. N.R. Shinde, Director (Student Services Division), YCMOU dwelt upon
the Role and Responsibilities of Study Centres. He emphasized on the
need for study centres to be come proactive in providing Student Support.
The nature of Student Support provided through YCMOU and how
existing NIOS study centres can be associated with YCMOU for enrolment
of students for the Preparatory Programme were also discussed.
Dr. M.N. Deshmukh, Former Professor, Mumbai University also graced
the occasion.
Following the open session in which queries from co-ordinators were
answered, a vote of thanks was proposed by Sr. Bendine, Co-ordinator,
NIOS Centre-St. Joseph’s Convent, Nagpur.
NIOS Regional Centre at Bhubaneswar inaugurated
The NIOS Regional Centre at Bhubaneswar was inaugurated on July 7,
2011. Inaugurating the centre, Shri Lal Bihari Himirika, Minister for SC/
ST Development, Govt. of Orissa termed the setting up of the NIOS
centre in the capital city as a welcome step for providing education to the
unemployed youth belonging to weaker sections of society. Appreciating
this move, Shri Pratap Jena, Minister for School and Mass Education,
Govt. of Orissa said that vocational training provided by the NIOS will
provide learners with a sustainable source of income. Shri S.S. Jena,
Chairman, NIOS explained the importance of such a centre in the wake
of the Right to Education. The website for the Bhubaneswar regional
centre www.niosbbsr.org as well as the On-Demand Examination
Scheme (ODES) were also launched on the occasion.
The Regional Centre at Bhubaneswar has opened 153 study centres
covering all the districts of the State under the SC and ST development
department. It is significant to note that juvenile delinquents serving jail
terms would also be covered under this NIOS initiative. Training in
vocational courses such as plumbing, tailoring, driving and masonry is
imparted on Sundays.
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National Institute of Open Schooling
NIOS study centre opened in Berhampur jail
Inauguration of NIOS Study Centre
in Berhampur Jail
Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of Prisons, Dr. S.S. Jena, Chairman,
NIOS and Shri Rushi Kumar Rath, Regional Director, NIOS Regional
Centre, Bhubaneswar.
Life Skills Workshop for Jail Inmates
A study centre of the
National Institute of Open
Schooling (NIOS) was
inaugurated in the
premises of the
Berhampur Circle Prison
on July 8, 2011 to extend
educational opportunities
at the secondary and
senior secondary levels
to the prisoners. The
inaugural function was
attended by Shri
Dharanidhar Dash,
The National Institute
of Open Schooling
(NIOS) held two Life
Skills workshops for jail
inmates–one in
Berhampur Central
Jail, Orissa on July 8,
2011, and the other in
District Jail, Puri on
July 13, 2011. These
workshops were
organized following a
request put forth by
the District Jail, Puri,
Learning to manage stress
keeping in mind the potential of life skills education to offer support and
basic guidance to build a positive foundation of life after sentence,
livelihood security, health and social recognition, and to promote personal
development and strength to face the difficult challenges of life.
The workshops were held in collaboration with Interns from School of
Life Skills Education and Social Harmony, Rajiv Gandhi National Institute
of Youth Development, Chennai. The main themes for both workshops
were stress management, HIV and AIDS and drug/substance abuse.
In both the workshop in progress locations, the participants were jail
inmates who are NIOS learners. Learners from neighbouring jails collected
at one place to participate in the workshop. The participants were pleased
to be treated by the facilitators with empathy. Many inmates were able to
shed their inhibitions and actively discuss the symptoms of HIV/AIDS
which were similar to or matching those that they themselves had
experienced at some point of time.
The feedback at the end of the workshops was very positive and NIOS
has been invited to organize more such workshops in future. It was a
learning experience for both the interns and the facilitators.
Management Development Programme: Second Phase
A three day intensive training programme was organised by the Capacity
Building Cell of the NIOS with technical support from the Commonwealth
Educational Media Centre for Asia (CEMCA). This was the second phase
of an all India level Management Development Programme for NIOS
officers reach the headquarters as well as regional centres. The 42
participants included the new
staff recruited in different
positions of NIOS as well as
existing officers who required
training in different
administrative areas.
An Interactive Session
This collaborative programme
exposed the officers to
different aspects of
administration and
management, keeping
in view the increasing
demands in the Open Schooling System due to various schemes of
Govt. of India.
The programme which was organised from 16 th -18 th July 2011 at the
India International Centre, New Delhi was inaugurated by Prof. A.K.
Rath, Former Secretary (School Education), MHRD, Government of India.
Dr. S.S. Jena, Chairman, NIOS, Dr. Sreedhar Director, CEMCA, Dr.
Kuldeep Agrawal, Director (Academic), Dr. K.P. Wasnik Director
(Vocational Education Department) and Shri. R. Thyagrajan, Head,
Administration and Finance, CEMCA attended the inaugural and various
sessions of the training programme to boost the morale of the participants.
The three day programme included presentations by senior professionals
from various walks of life as well as interactive sessions with the NIOS
participants. While Shri L. Gurumurthy, Director, Institute of Cost and
Work Accountancy, New Delhi spoke about the principles of accrual
accounting and its related issues, Shri DVS Shastri, Deputy Registrar,
IGNOU discussed Seniority, Promotion, Departmental Promotion
Committees (DPC), pay and other related issues.
Shri U.S. Tolia, Registrar, IGNOU provided an overview of the Right to
Information (RTI) Act 2005.
Shri K.S. Sachdeva, Joint Director (Retd), ISTM and Defence Ministry
conducted an interactive session on Reservation in Direct Recruitment
and Promotions. The topic on Public Procurement – National and
International Bidding – Guidelines issued by CVC, Govt. of India was
handled in a very mature manner by Sh. B.S. Ramaswamy, Additional
Secy. (Retd), Govt. of India.
The participants were awarded certificates by Sh. B.S. Ramaswamy on
successful completion of the training programme. The programme ended
with a vote of thanks by Dr. Sonia Behl, Assistant Director (Academic),
NIOS. A positive feedback on the programme was received from most of
the participants.
Orientation Programme for Coordinators of Study
Centres (for ex-PTTI students)
An Orientation
Programme for
Coordinators of Study
Centres (for ex-PTTI
Students) of NIOS was
held on 11 July 2011 at
the West Bengal Board
of Primary Education
(WBBPE), Salt Lake,
Kolkata. Coordinators
from 26 Study Centres
participated in the
programme.
The objective of the
orientation programme
was to highlight the role and functions of the study centres, coordinators
and other functionaries of study centres.
In the inaugural session, Sh. Aditi Ranjan Rout, Regional Director, NIOS
Regional Centre, Kolkata welcomed the coordinators and discussed
about the role, functions, objectives and special features of NIOS. The
inaugural session was also attended by the Secretary, WBBPE.
Addressing the participants, the Secretary, WBBPE, Sri D. Mandal
highlighted the problems of ex-PTTI students and requested the
coordinators to extend cooperation to NIOS by fully utilizing the NIOS
Self Learning Material (SLM) and promptly conducting Personal Contact
Programmes (PCPs).
Details about the academic and examination related functions of study
centres, procedure for change of subjects and additional subjects,
Transfer of Credit, Issue of duplicate Identity cards, change of coordinators,
norms for payment, engagement of staff for PCPs, preparation
of sign board and its design and display notice board etc. were also
discussed.
Tutor Training Workshop
Orientation in Progress
A policy decision taken by the NIOS to proceed the curricular way to
reach out to the target learners for Adolescence Education Programme
(AEP) necessitated the sensitization of tutors to use the Self Learning
Material (SLM) effectively and efficiently. A three day residential workshop
was conducted from 18 th – 20 th June 2011 at +2 M.L. Academy, Laheria
Sarai, Darbhanga, Bihar by the Project Co-ordinator along with two
Master Trainers along with Project Co-ordinators (AEP) for 28 tutors in
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National Institute of Open Schooling
Languages, Science, Social Science and Home Science, drawn from 15
study centers of the region.
The programme was inaugurated by Dr. M.J. Warsi, Prof of Linguistics, St.
Louise, Washington University, USA.
Participants were
introduced to some
participatory teaching
learning techniques
conducted by Ms.
Asheema Singh to
illustrate methods to
arouse curiosity and
interest in students in
the teaching process.
Mock Personal Contact
Programme (PCP)
sessions were
conducted to
Imparting Participatory Teaching Learning methods demonstrate the
various challenges that may be faced during a PCP.
Dr. T.N. Giri, Regional Director, NIOS, R.C., Patna outlined the various
tools built into the NIOS Life Skills courses that would help the tutors
give a better understanding of the course material to the learners and
explained how to access the NIOS website with an objective to empower
the tutors and learner and alleviating stress amongst the learners.
The residential nature of the workshop not only took the participants away
from the workplace but also helped in securing greater concentration from
them while working, and allowed them time for practice and internalization
of the concepts.
• Internship Programme
For the first time in NIOS, under the Adolescence Education
Programme (AEP), four interns were placed at ‘MITRA’ the Adolescent
Friendly Centre (AFC) at Bhubaneshwar and NIOS headquarters,
NOIDA. The AFC initiated a month long internship programme in
June-July 2011. While three students completed their Internship
Programme at MITRA, the fourth worked on the feedback analysis of
the various capacity building workshops conducted by the AEP Unit
at NIOS headquarters.
• Field Testing of MITRA
As part of the activities of the Adolescence Education Programme,
the MITRA Activity Manual adapted from NCERT Manual was field
tested at the Adolescent Friendly Centre, Bhubaneswar. The manual
designed by a group of experts at NCERT to instil various life skills
among the adolescents covers vital aspects such as Choosing the
Right Career, Role of Communication in Developing Relationship,
Personality and Relationship Development, Gender Discrimination,
Understanding Adolescence, Substance and Drug Abuse, Coping
with Stress and HIV/AIDS.
The activity included eight different workshops at Bhubaneswar,
Paradeep, Berhampur and Puri, during which a total of 212 hours and
10 minutes sessions were conducted involving 212 learners. The
purpose of the Field Testing was to elicit learners’ response on various
chapters keeping in focus the content and context and modifying the
manual in the light of their feedback for adaptability in the region.
Orientation of Course Writers
A three day workshop for Orientation of Course Writers for Diploma in
Elementary Education Programme was held at the Homi Bhabha Centre
for Science Education, Mumbai from 29-31 st July 2011. The workshop
was inaugurated by Dr. S.S. Jena, Chairman, NIOS who made a detailed
presentation of the objectives of the Diploma in Elementary Education
programme and also touched upon the strategies to be adopted for
achieving the objectives and structure of the course. Prof. Santosh
Panda, Director, STRIDE, IGNOU was the key resource person. The
Course Co-ordinators, Prof. M.N. Deshmukh and Prof. S.C. Agarkar
were also present during the programme, which was attended by eighteen
course writers from various parts of Maharashtra.
Tele-orientation Programme for AIs
A Tele-orientation Programme was organised on 27 th July 2011 for the
co-ordinators of Accredited Institutions (AIs). The theme of the programme
was "Management of Study Centres - Issues and Challenges".
Success Acknowledged!
NIOS learners awarded by CEMCA
Five female students who topped in media/technology related
subjects in the April 2011 examinations conducted by the National
Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS) have been awarded by the
Commonwealth Educational Media Centre for Asia (CEMCA), New
Delhi.
These awards have been conferred on Ms. T. Divya Bharathi (Word
Processing (English) – Secondary Course), Ms. Minakshi (Science
and Technology - Secondary Course), Ms. Sriraksha Raghunathan
(Mass Communication- Sr. Secondary Course), Ms. Varsha Srivastava
(Computer Science- Sr. Secondary Course) and Ms. Khushaboo
Srivastava (Word Processing (English)-Sr. Secondary Course).
Minakshi
E.No. 050191102205
T Divya Bharathi
E.No.190026102006
Editorial Board
• S.S. Jena, Chairman, NIOS : Chief Editor
• C. Dharuman, Director
(Evaluation Dept.)/Secretary
Sreeraksha Raghunathan
E.No.080004103084
: Member
• K.P. Wasnik, Director (VED)/Director (SSS) : Member
• Kuldeep Agarwal, Director (Academic Dept.) : Consulting Editor
• Gowri Diwaker, PRO : Editor
Khushaboo Srivastava
E.No. 210022103155
Varsha Srivastava
E.No.210022103137
In addition to a scholarship of Rs. 3000/- covering the entire admission
and examination fee spent by each female awardee to complete her
secondary /senior secondary education through NIOS, each award
also includes a citation from CEMCA.
CEMCA, New Delhi, a Sub-Regional Office of the Commonwealth of
Learning (COL), Vancouver, Canada has been collaborating with
the NIOS to expand the scope and improve the quality of learning by
using new approaches and technologies in the area of Open and
Distance Learning (ODL).
These awards, it is considered, will go a long way in encouraging girls
and women, included in the target group of NIOS, to pursue higher
education in emerging areas of media/ technology, thereby
strengthening the NIOS objectives of providing greater equity and
justice in society and evolving an inclusive learning society.
National Institute of Open Schooling
A-24-25, Institutional Area, Sector-62, NOIDA, UP
Website : www.nios.ac.in
Toll Free No. 1800 180 9393
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